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Cheryl Wilke Quoted in Article on the Status of Women in the Legal Profession

July 18, 2016

Cheryl Wilke, Partner-in-Charge of the Fort Lauderdale office of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, was quoted in the article "Women Pushing to Overcome Professional, Personal Obstacles in Law" published by the Daily Business Review on July 18, 2016. With the South Florida market serving as the setting, the article focuses on the status of women in the legal profession, including as equity partners and in leadership positions.

Ms. Wilke provided insights on the subject of how women and men may differ in ways they develop business As noted in the article, "Cultivating relationships with business leaders on the golf course and in clubs, a traditional male strategy, doesn't always work as well for women[.] . . . But they can instead use life skills that come naturally, including problem solving. Women lawyers can use the same skills used to persuade judges and juries to talk to prospective clients. They can email them articles for discussion, for example, or as she once did, go the extra mile by dropping in on a client's headquarters in a small Texas city far from the closest airport." Ms. Wilke added, "You are not asking for business. You are asking for an opportunity to solve [clients'] problems[.]"

Ms. Wilke also noted in the article that Hinshaw "is unusual in that part-time lawyers at the firm are eligible for partnership" and that "she thinks such flexibility is a key to helping women advance." But she believes that the paucity of female equity partners may partly reflect women's own choices, explaining "I think it is wrong to say that women are purposefully kept out of capital partnership, but women are more open-minded, and many of them choose to take a different path[.]"

Ms. Wilke focuses her practice in the representation of employers in labor and employment matters, including litigation of FLSA, Title VII and retaliatory cases. She also provides comprehensive risk management programs for her clients.

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S. law firm with 450 attorneys located in 11 states and London. Founded in 1934, the firm has a national reputation for its insurance industry work, its representation of professionals and law firms, and its closely coordinated business advisory, transactional and litigation services. We serve clients ranging from emerging and middle-market businesses to Fortune 500 companies, as well as governmental and public sector clients.